§ Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Health upon what grounds the housing inspector refused to look at semi-detached houses in course of construction at Keswick Avenue, Portsmouth, these houses having been constructed under the sanction of the Local Health and Housing Committee; is he aware that these houses afford greater accommodation than those in the plan suggested by the Ministry of Health, having a cubical content of over 16,000 feet against 9,500 to 11,500 feet in the Ministry's houses; that these houses are roofed with asbestos slates instead of tiling, as specified in the Ministry's houses, thus effecting a saving of £60 per house, which would mean (assuming that the Government are erecting 500,000 houses, and if asbestos slates were substituted for tiles in the roofing) a total saving of £30,000,000.
§ Dr. ADDISONThe Portsmouth Corporation submitted a scheme for the purchase of a number of houses, of which those referred to by the hon. and gallant Member were a sample. An inspector visited the site of the proposed scheme, but he was not asked by the builder to inspect these houses. As the plans of the houses were not altogether satisfactory the builder was asked to make the modifications necessary to render them acceptable; but this he refused to do. Owing to the attitude adopted by the builder the use of asbestos roofing in this particular case was not discussed. Subject to proper safeguard no objection will be 641W taken to the use of asbestos slates instead of tiles or other types of slates.